Are We Spoilt For Choice When It Comes to Television?

Have you ever experienced a moment when you try flipping through channels on TV and find nothing that catches your fancy? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, a survey featured in The Hollywood Reporter said that only 14 percent of cable TV subscribers are satisfied with their viewing experience, while 45 percent of U.S. TV viewers discover new shows by channel flipping.

Television isn’t the same as it was a few decades ago. The truth is that technological developments have changed the way people watch television.

Here are some of the changes that millions of TV viewers enjoy as a result of tech updates in the field of TV:

#1. Convenience in choosing

We are living in an age when product and service choices are available through easily accessible means, such as mobile phones and the Internet. Anyone can browse through a national cable comparison site or check video recommendations using a mobile app.

#2. Better picture quality

As TV shows become more complex in terms of color and contrast depth, TV networks and video service providers are now offering more high-definition formats. These improvements allow viewers to stay tuned to a specific network or cable subscription. Consequently, television manufacturers are also eager to upgrade their products, in the hopes of capturing the attention of HD-loving TV viewers.

#3. TV watching without television

Yep, you read that one right. Internet has revolutionized the way people watch TV shows, to the point that you don’t even need a television set to watch TV! Streaming Web services have come out in the last few years, and some TV networks have considered offering their programs online even without a cable subscription plan.

These changes have, unfortunately, turned lots of viewers into tech-hungry consumers looking for something new. This is probably the reason why cable companies are scrambling to find a solution – or even a compromise – to the growing demand for cord-cutting. Time Magazine discussed the dying industry of cable back in 2014, and which viewing packages will ultimately replace it.

On a more recent scenario, Fortune recently reported results on the situation of the cable industry:

“The research firm MoffettNathanson, which tracks U.S. pay-TV subscriber numbers, has just come out with its third-quarter results, and they show a continued steady decline in the number of households that subscribe to conventional cable services.”

All of these things boil down to one root cause: the never-ending quest for satisfaction. It’s not necessarily bad to desire for something better than what you currently have. However, going overboard might kill the joy because you’re always on the lookout for the next big thing, even though what you have is already more than enough.

Viewers really cannot do anything in terms of controlling the number of choices in TV programs. Network execs love the idea of bringing their variety of programs to a more niches. All you can do as a viewer is to sit back, relax, and watch your favorite TV show that probably only a handful in your neighborhood watch as well.

Tech upgrades in TV sets and programs will always keep on coming. Why not take a moment to bask in the existence of a wide range of choices for TV programs, services, and television units? In short, give yourself some time to appreciate what technology has handed this generation (of course, until the next tech upgrade arrives).